last w/end was bristol for harmonica 2007 where, following two years of coming first in the jazz competition, i didn't get placed. not too down hearted as it happens. the guy who won was a good player but hardly improvised. and improvisation really is 80% of jazz. i got up under pressure and played my guts out. which is a triumph in itself.
involved playing footprints, a rehearsed melody from the dots, plus impro, to a backing track. as such its completely different from my pre-jazz performing experience where i stand up with a guitar and warble on. or off. this approach is much more demanding and requires a lot more effort/concentration and much more technical ability.
